Mayors Say: Look To Cities For Inspired Leadership And Real Results In The Face Of Deep National Frustration With Washington

Mayors Say: Look To Cities For Inspired Leadership And Real Results In The Face Of Deep National Frustration With Washington

Incoming U.S. Conference of Mayors President Mitch Landrieu Joined Colleagues to Unveil “Leadership for America: Mayors’ Agenda for the Future”

Bipartisan Mayors Make Push for Americans to Look to City Hall for National Leadership and Real Results in an Era of Dysfunction in Washington

MIAMI BEACH— Incoming U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans joined dozens of mayors from across the country to urge Americans to move past Washington’s stalled partisan gridlock and instead, look locally for leadership that governs with vision and delivers results. The bipartisan group unveiled Leadership for America: Mayors’ Agenda for the Future, (Twitter hashtag #MayorsAgenda) a policy proposal that will fix our crumbling infrastructure, ensure quality affordable healthcare, promote safe and secure communities, expand our workforce to drive economic growth and create equitable communities to increase opportunity for all.

Each mayor pointed forcefully to the results occurring in their cities and towns each day that encourage economic innovation, deliver quality, affordable healthcare, spur creation of good-paying jobs and keep the country moving forward – in a time of paralysis and dysfunction in Washington. With a rallying cry from mayors of both parties calling on Americans to look to cities for inspired leadership, USCM is embarking on an aggressive, year-long campaign to highlight where real work is getting done: in our cities and metropolitan regions.

“We are being called upon in a chaotic moment to bring certainty, calm and sobriety to the most complicated issues facing our country. As mayors, and as we have always done, we will show up as duty calls, and will deliver every day: if we don’t produce then we haven’t succeeded. This is a group of great leaders who don’t just talk about what to do, but know how to do it – and actually get it done,” said incoming USCM President Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans.

“Mayors sit at the helm of every major policy issue, and put partisan differences aside to produce results for our cities and towns. And we’ll continue to do just that. Healthcare, jobs, policing, infrastructure – these are all big issues that, when left unaddressed or addressed poorly, have detrimental effects on our communities. Mayors across the country and the US Conference of Mayors willingly and optimistically take on the challenges presented us,” said Mayor Stephen Benjamin of Columbia, SC.

Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York offered a strong contrast with Washington, “There are fights ahead, especially on healthcare and tax reform – but these are fights the Conference of Mayors will be at the center of and they are fights we can and must win for the millions of people we represent.”

“Mayors are builders,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles. “We build opportunity, we build the physical infrastructure for our streets, waterways, ports, airports, and factories. Most importantly, we’re not just talking about it, since mayors are judged on results, not rhetoric. We’re actually building America’s future.”

“The debate on healthcare in our country is bigger than either political party,” said Mayor Marty Walsh of Boston,” It’s bigger than the President, Congress, or any branch of government. It’s because the right to healthcare is a basic and human right.”

“Healthcare is not a partisan issue, and any mayor knows that cities can’t take clinics and emergency rooms full of uninsured patients,” said Mayor John Giles of Mesa. “When the federal government fumbles, city governments and city residents suffer the consequences.”

“We’re simply saying we are prepared to continue leading, ensuring our citizens get not what they want, but what they deserve, whether you’re talking about gun violence created through the unlawful use of handguns, the opioid crisis engulfing communities large and small, community unrest as a result of unlawful or unconstitutional policing or violence against police officers. Mayors are prepared to respond with, not just talk, but thoughtful deliberate action,” said Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson of Gary, IN.

“The number one desire of our citizens in our cities is to feel safe – and mayors are the tip of the spear in ensuring that pledge is delivered upon,” said Mayor Mike Rawlings of Dallas.

Later today, former President Bill Clinton offered the day’s keynote: A Celebration of City Livability, honoring the great work mayors across the country are doing to make their hometowns more equitable places to live.

On Monday, upon election as the next president of the US Conference of Mayors, Mayor Landrieu will deliver remarks laying out a vision of leadership for the country rooted in the work being done in cities large and small and an agenda that Washington can enact to deliver real results for Americans. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will also attend Monday’s inaugural reception for Landrieu and deliver remarks.